Arafu Cafe's authenticity has long intrigued me so when my friend Sumi invited me for a lunch date, I was ecstatic. 

Arafu Cafe is located at the 3rd floor of SM North Edsa which made it a bit difficult to find for those who are not familiar with the mall like me.  On the bright side, I guess being isolated from the other food joints offers the diners privacy and solace within its cozy atmosphere.

What sets Arafu Cafe apart from other Japanese restaurants is that it offers homestyle cooked meals.   It's first store in Bonifacio Global City was established to cater to Japanese expats who live alone and are yearning for home-cooked dishes.  Soon, they also had local customers which suggested that they open another branch and this branch was this. 

Upon stepping in, I already liked the place.  The fine and smooth wooden fixtures that matches its floors gives a homey feel.  The bright lighting makes it idea for reading and other working  especially since thy have a FREE fast and reliable WiFi. 

Each table has a set of condiments.

Food

♥ Dashimaki Tamago (160 php)

Although I often see the Dashimaki Tamago on Animes and Japanese TV shows and Films being placed on cute bento boxes, this is actually the first time I've tried one.  The  Tamago or Egg in I usually encounter in Japanese restaurants I've been to are offered in nigiri sushi form.  I liked this more!  It has a light custard-like texture and tastes of soy sauce and slightly sweet and savory taste of rice vinegar.  It goes really well with the grated daikon radish. 


Teppanyaki & Deep-Fried

♥ Ebi Fry (388 php/3 pcs)

I rarely order Ebi Fry because I personally prefer the Ebi tempura over it.  But upon trying this Eby Fry with a pinch of lime and Japanese mayonaise, I was literally enchanted by the perfect crunchiness of the golden brown panko breading and the softness of the prawns.  This is so good that  I'll gladly finish platters and platter of this! 


Noodle

Yaki Udon (270 php)

The Yaki Udon  is quite familiar to us already.  It is stir-fried thick udon noodles topped with squid, pork bits, onions, cabbage, katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), kizami shoga (pickled ginger) and fried egg.  The bountiful ingredients gave the noodles a rich and savory flavor.  I liked the texture of the noodles too. 

TAWARA (Japanse Hamburg & Rice)

♥ TAWARA Hamburg Steak with Teriyaki Sauce (320 php)

The TAWARA Hamburg Steak with Teriyaki Sauce is the superstar meal among our orders.  Just looking at it makes my mouth water.  It is served with string beans, corn, tomato slices and a refillable quality Japanese rice and clear broth soup.  The hamburg patty is made from ground pork and beef meat.  It has a heavenly soft and fine yet still chunky consistency.  I really like their blend of teriyaki sauce which is neither too salty nor sweet.  
 

Japanese Sauce and Demi-Glaze sauce

We also got to try the Japanese Sauce and Demi-Glaze sauce.  The Japanese Sauce is mildly salty with a savory broth flavor.  On the otherhand, the Demi-Glaze is thick with a light sweetness and saltiness followed by a bitter aftertaste.  I noticed that the more I had, the sweetness and saltiness becomes bolder and the bitterness disappears. 


Drinks & Desserts

♥ Ice Green Tea Latte (138 php) and Homemade Marble Cookie (80 php/6 pieces)

The Ice Green Tea Latte is the best matcha I have ever tried!  The Homemade Marble Cookie are also as delicious!

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Arafu Cafe is a comfort place for authentic homey and hearty Japanese Dishes.  If only their branches are more accessible to me, I'd visit this often.  The food and drinks here has definitely won over both my heart and my soul.  I highly recommend this place!  The Japanese owner is very hands-on with the shop operations to so the service is great. 

During my dinner with foodie friends at Ba Noi's (see previous entry), Spanky and Richard mentioned about Balkan located just across the street.  It was then that I realized that I've never tried Yugoslavian cuisine before.  I honestly don't even know where Yugoslavia is. =p


Aroused by my inkling curiosity, I just had to try it out.  Because I am not much of a meat lover, I planned a dinner at Balkan with the best meat-eating team I know of... my family. =D  







Food


Supa (soup)

♥ Goulash (250 php)

♥ Balkan Bread

I started my meal with something familiar and go with the Goulash.  It was served in a large bowl so if you want try more of their dishes, I suggest you order this for sharing.  As expected, every Goulash has its own distinct taste despite the same ingredients such as onions, paprika and lean beef.  It's more savory than the other goulash I've tried.    Balkan's version comes with rotini pasta and served with a large piece of Balkan Bread.  Eat it with their soft Balkan Bread and savor the flavor of the Goulash while the Balkan Bread gently melts in your mouth.  

♥ Cevapcici Platter (280 php)

♥ Stuff Pljeskavica (320 php)

♥ Stuff Pljeskavica (320 php)

Balkanski Kebab (330 php)

Sach (claypot dishes)

Butkice (650 php)

The Butkice is pork knuckles (pata in tagalog) served with baked potatoes and carrots.  The pork knuckles were tasty and tender.  Although the carrots were a bit mashed but we didn't mind because its sweetness blended well with the pork knuckles.

Sarma (260 php)

The Sarma is pickled cabbage rolls stuff with beef, rice and spices served with mashed potato.  This dish received a mix reaction between us.  I find this dish is similar to the Chinese pickled cabbage or another Mediterranean dish Sauerkraut which I have always enjoyed so I liked this too!


Jagnjetina (lamb)

♥ Jagnjetina (700 php)

The menu claims that the Jagnjetina is their house specialty.  Of course, we can't miss this.  The Jagnjetina is an imported baked lamb.  It was so soft and tender.  It was also tasty.  These are one of the few lamb dishes here in Manila that I've really appreciated.  I ate a lot of this dish even the fats. =p


Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Balkan is a must try those who want to try out Yugoslavian food. I'm not even a meat lover but I enjoyed their dishes.  The place is cozy and service is great.  The price is also affordable since their dishes are so generous in serving that its good for sharing.